H. Peter Anvin wrote:
> Followup to: <35FAD20D.DBA99899@his.com>
> By author: Feuer <feuer@his.com>
> In newsgroup: linux.dev.kernel
> > >
> > > 64-bit seconds field (same as time_t) linked to UTC
> > > 32-bit nanosecond field (microsecond for timeval) linked to TAI
> > > 32-bit integral TAI-UTC difference
> > >
> > > That way any moment in time will be uniquely derivable at least, at a
> > > positive leap second, you will see the progression (where T means a
> > > time_t value divisible by 86400):
> > >
> >
> > Why would you have the TAI-UTC difference instead of just TAI?
> > The part of your message below was very confusing to me.
> >
>
> Because it is smaller (fewer bits needed) than another timefield, and
> an important piece of information in itself.
>
> time_t needs to be UTC, there really is no choice.
>
I don't see how much impact the size of this particular structure really has on
anything. How is that UTC-TAI difference so important if you are not studying
the rotation of the earth? As I said before (in the part you snipped), people
interested in making calendars and showing the time on the screen will want
UTC, those who want to measure the time between two events will want TAI. I
would find it very annoying (and confusing) to have to
a) add or subtract two numbers to get what I want
b) remember whether I'm adding or subtracting.
>
> -hpa
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